http://metro.co.uk/2014/02/12/lazio...-17-year-old-joseph-minala-is-not-41-4301765/ Reminds me of Roger Milla.
Maybe you're thinking of Obafemi Martins, who once stated he was 24 years old when his real age was about 29. It would have meant he made his professional debut at the age of 13
Never realised how bad it was!! Taribo West was 50?!? http://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/feb/21/nigerian-football-age-old-problem Bit at the end highlights the extent of the problem...